Improvement in toy race-courses



E. AfTHOMPSDN.

Toy Race-Courses,

P10154729: I Patent dSept .1,'I8 7 4.

Witnesses: Invent or:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE:

EDMOND A. THOMPSON, OF AMHERST, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN TOY RACE-COURSES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 154,729, dated September 1, 1874; application filed Jul 3, 1874.

To all 'whomit may concern Be it known that I, EDMOND A. THOMP- SON, of Amherst, in the county of Hampw of the racecourse having been removed to expose the working parts. Fig. 2 is a central section of the same in the plane a: m, Fig. 1.

Similar letters indicate corresponding parts.

This invention consists in a platform supported by a stationary spindle, on which is fitted a sleeve that receives a revolving motion by a spring or other power, and from which extend one or more arms, to the outer ends of which are fastened toy horses, or other figures, so that the platform is securely retained in a central position, while the horses or other figures are carried around.

The toy figures are hinged to their carrying arms, and they are provided with tappetrods, which act against cams secured beneath the stationary platform, so that, when said figures are carried round, a jumping or galloping motion is imparted to them. On the stationary platform are placed toy figures, which connect with spring-levers secured to the under surface of said platform, so that by the action of the revolving arms on said spring-levers various motions are imparted to the figures on the platform. A fan-wheel in a brake-lever serves to regulate or to stop the motion of the traveling figures.

.In the drawing, the letter A designates a spring-power or cloclcmovement, through the frame of which rises a stationary spindle, a, which supports the platform B, said platform being provided with a central socket, b, to catch over the end of said spindle. On this spindle is fitted a sleeve, 0, to which a revolving motion is imparted by the clock-movement A, and on said sleeve are mounted one or more arms, 0, to the outer ends of which are secured toy horses or other desirable figures D. When said arms are set in motion the toy figures travel round the platform B, which platform is retained in a stationary position, being-supported by the spindle a. The toy figures D are pivoted to arms or standards rising from the ends of the arms G, and from some part of each of said figures extends a tappet-rod, d, which, when the armsO are set in motion, comes in contact with aseries of cams 0 arranged in the space beneath the platform B, and by these means each of the toy figures receives, in addition to the revolving motion, a jumping or galloping motion, this latter motion being produced when toy horses are pivoted to the traveling arm 0. By this arrangement the effect of my toy is materially improved, and the platform is supported in a simple, cheap, and convenient manner.

On the platform B are placed toy figures E, Fig. 2, some parts of the bodies of which connect with spring-levers f secured to the under surface of the platform. These springlevers are so situated that they receive a motion by the traveling arms 0 whenever they pass the same, and thereby various motions are imparted to the figures E.

With the clock-movement A is combined a fan-wheel, g, which is mounted on a spindle, h, that has its bearings in a frame, 5, to which an oscillating motion can be imparted by a rod,-j. The spindle h is geared together with the clock-movement by a pinion, In, (Fig. 1,) and by pulling on the rod 11 the pinion k can be thrown in or out of gear with the clockmovement, or it can be pressed in gear to such a degree that the clock-movement stops entirely.

When the pinion k is thrown in gear with the clock-movement, a rapid revolving motion is imparted to the fan-wheel g, and thereby the revolving motion of the traveling figures is checked and prevented from exceeding a certain velocity.

When the spindle h is thrown out of gear with the clock-movement, the traveling figures race around the platform with a very great velocity.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The platform B, stationary spindle a, In testimony that I claim the foregoing I sleeve 0, andone or more arms, 0, carrying have hereuntoset my hand. toy figures D in combination with earns 0, EDMOND A. THOMPSON. and tapp'et-rods 01, substantially as described.

2. The spring-levers f toy figures E, plat- Witnesses: form B, and spindle a, in combination with E. A. THOMAS, one or more arms, 0, figures D, tappet-rods A. O. KEITH. d, and cams a, substantially as described. 

